Hofheimer Library.

Hofheimer Library

Hofheimer Library
Phone 757.455.3224

Reference Books

3 steps to follow

1. Identify which books to use
  • Search the library catalog BY AUTHOR for books by a specific author [e.g. Miller, Arthur].
  • Search the library catalog BY TITLE for a specific book. Do not include articles (words such as the, a or an) at the beginning of a title. [e.g. Great Gatsby, not The Great Gatsby]
  • Search the library catalog BY SUBJECT for books about a specific topic or person, for example biographical information. Subject headings are those used by Library of Congress.
  • Choose Browse Subjects option to identify LC subject headings.
  • Use related terms and keywords when searching [e.g. classroom management, school discipline and teaching strategies are related terms.]
  • Use bibliographies and print indexes to find lists of books on specific topics.
  • Identify chapters and essays on a specific topic in books by searching in Essay and General Literature Index.
2. How to find those books
  • A search in the Library Catalog will provide call numbers for books.
  • Print the book record for the complete call number and title.
  • The call numbers identify where books are shelved in the library.
  • Books which do not have a call number are electronic books and can be found in the Library Catalog; these resources are available full-text online.
3. Getting those books
  • Call numbers that begin with REF indicate a Reference book. Reference books are located on the first floor and can be used IN THE LIBRARY ONLY.
  • All books on the second floor can be checked out with a VWC ID or consortium borrowing card. See checkout policies.
  • Browse the nearby bookshelves for useful books. Other books on the same subject will be on nearby shelves.
  • Books not owned by VWC can be borrowed through Interlibrary Loan or from other local libraries. VWC students and faculty/staff can borrow from Virginia Tidewater Consortium (VTC) Libraries with a VTC borrowing card obtained at the library's Circulation Desk.
  • Books and materials are shelved according to LC Classification System at most academic libraries so materials on the same subject have similar call numbers; browse the shelves for relevant books and materials.